Getting Marley to go outside on command.
She is slowly giving in on our various rules, she doesn't get up on the furniture nearly as much, she will grudgingly sit before being let in and she has started to learn to stay out of the kitchen (house rule). One thing she won't do is go outside when I tell her to. If she doesn't feel like going out, she puts up quite a fight to make sure it doesn't happen. On opening the door, she will take a look outside and then begin wiggling her butt, if I specifically tell her to go outside, she will lay down completely and continue wiggling. If I attempt to force her out by grabbing her collar she will roll onto her back and start kicking. It's very frustrating to get her to go outside. She is currently in obedience class, but we are just starting that with her. She does very well at most other commands, but she just doesn't want to give in on this one. Any tips? |
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| I'm not sure what you are asking...
Are you attempting to send her outside alone, to a fenced yard or are you taking her outside for a walk? In my obedience class we were taught that when taking a dog out for a walk you should stop at the door, have the dog sit, attach the leash then open the door and YOU should go out first with the dog following on a leash. I don't have a fenced yard so never send the dogs out alone. I do live in the country and often go out with dogs off leash but we basically follow the same routine. The dogs are given the sit command while I open the door and go out, I turn and tell them to "come". |
| I guess I should clarify, I'm sending her out to the fenced yard. Not alone, but with our other dog. When we are not home the dogs are put out in the back yard where they also have a dog door leading into the garage where their houses and water bowls are also kept. So whenever we need to leave the house we send the dogs outside.
If we were going for a walk with a leash on, she would be more than eager to go with. |
CthulhuDragon wrote: I guess I should clarify, I'm sending her out to the fenced yard. Not alone, but with our other dog. When we are not home the dogs are put out in the back yard where they also have a dog door leading into the garage where their houses and water bowls are also kept. So whenever we need to leave the house we send the dogs outside.
If we were going for a walk with a leash on, she would be more than eager to go with. Sounds to me like she knows she is going to be out there for more time than she wants. My Marley looks out the window in the morning to make sure the weather appeals to her before she will go out - so I know they can be picky. Is there another solution for her when you are out ( a room where she can't get into anything - my Marley stays in the Master bath which is quite large and comfy)? If not try giving her a special treat each time she goes out. My boy knows when we leave he gets peanut butter in his Kong. Some mornings I feel like he is looking at me and saying - hey mom come leave already! |
| I definitely agree that the reason behind this may be because she is thinking, "I don't want to go out there - usually going out there means you are leaving us alone (together) outside!". Tucker does the same thing when I try to crate him.
It is also possible that she doesn't want to go out because she gets more attention from you if she resists. Even though the attention you are giving her is not in the form of praise, liek a child, a dog perceives any attention as desirable attention. One book I have read suggests that you control the dog by controlling the space around her, trying your best to use your hands on her only for good (petting and praise). When Tucker doesn't want to go outside, I calmly and without looking at him walk behind him and start almost herding him towards the door. I do the same to get him into his crate. By not touching her you are not giving in to her game. I also agree with the idea of leaving her inside somewhere save, "puppy proof" and cozy, like the bathroom idea. As mentioned, I am partial to the crate, but I know that this is not for everyone. A bathroom is a great idea - easy to clean if water spills, put some blankets on the floor for comfort, et voila, instant dog room. Hope this helps a little... |
I also wonder about leaving two dogs alone together with no one home to moniter - I never do that. all three have their personal spaces (hey I have about 8 empy rooms not counting the kitchen and dining room - so I have room for more dogs  ). Even the most even tempered friendly dogs have been known to get angry at each other and these guys can hurt each other without even meaning too. |
| I don't leave my guys alone together. When I'm not home they are seperated.
Could you use the same approach to going out to the yard that you use for a walk? Instead of just opening the door and ushering the dog out actually take him out. |
Our Blue loves it out side trying to get him in when he does not want is our problem. Sami on the other hand will go out side (doggie door) but does not like to be locked out will BARK to come in.She willrun from the doggie door the the people door. Once unlock she is ok will go out and come in no problem. I think the same your oes does not want to be out for that much time. I am lucky to work from home and hub off work at the moment. Only think we had to do was doggy proof the house, Blue loves to steal thinks, So my house is actually better then baby proof  Were they can they in the house BUT bedrooms, bathroom, doors closed, working on living room to be closed so they do not get in there more worried about dvd or clickers going missing. Every other room ok for them. Ours are ok together as long as they are one chew bones to the floor. With me working downstairs I can hear them and there is no fighting. Unless I leave to cupboard open and they get papertowels, THAT WAS FUN  |
Tasker's Mom wrote: Could you use the same approach to going out to the yard that you use for a walk? Instead of just opening the door and ushering the dog out actually take him out.
I am also going to suggest putting a leash on to get her to go outside. You really shouldn't be grabbing her by the collar as she may get nervous and bite. |
| My dogs have always been left in the house when we leave. We crated them until they were dependable with regard to potty training and eating things.
Because Ben is an eater, we do shut them up in one room in the house together. Soft beds, AC and heat with a ceiling fan. Water and a couple of Kongs. We've never had any issues with fighting during this time in our 32 years. Add the cat that can come and go as she wants. My in-laws used to leave the dogs outside when my husband was in college. Green moldy beards in the summer and frozen beards in the winter - not going to happen here. |
| Well, things are getting better. Just before I posted originally we decided to try and do a special treat each time they are being put out. They only get this treat when we are actually leaving the house, so they get on before work mainly and when I come home from lunch. This plus getting more comfortable with her new schedule and environment seems to be helping quite a bit.
She is still reluctant to go out, but can be coaxed fairly easily with the dog treat and no longer tries to rush back inside the minute I step through the door. So bit by bit it's getting easier. Still having trouble getting her to sit on command before being let in. She'll do it, eventually. But she hasn't quite figured out that sitting will get her in the house faster, she just keeps trying to push past me into the house. She'll get it eventually, but so far she is being stubborn. |
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